Packing List

Not sure what to pack?

Follow these steps to figure out what to pack!

Are you coming to the Cooper Center for one or two nights?

Click on how many nights.

No matter how many nights you are staying make sure you or your teacher checks the weather before you come to be sure you have the right stuff to keep you safe, protected, warm, and comfortable on your trip!

Clothes and Day Supplies:

WATER BOTTLE

Everyone MUST bring a water bottle. We live in a dry desert and even when it’s not hot we need to make sure that we are drinking lots of water while we explore outside. If you don’t have a water bottle please tell your teacher as soon as possible.

2 pairs of long pants

These could be jeans, khakis, etc. If you are coming during early Fall or late Spring try to have lighter pants. You cannot wear shorts! This is for your safety.

1 pair of sturdy walking shoes

Do not bring sandals or any open shoes. Cactus spines in the foot are no fun.

2 tee-shirts

No inappropriate designs or wording (same as school rules)

No tank tops. This is to protect you from the sun.

1 long sleeve shirt

Sometimes even when it’s hot out during the day it can get chilly once the sun goes down so even if you’re coming in September or May bring one of these just in case.

2 pairs of socks

If you’re coming between late October and March you should bring 1 warm pair of socks so your feet don’t get cold at night.

2 pairs of underwear

1 set of sleeping clothes

1 sun hat or baseball cap

This is very important to protect you from the sun and really helps keep you cooler.

1 warm hat and gloves

If you’re coming between late October and March you should bring 1 warm hat and a pair of gloves

1 sweatshirt or sweater

If you’re coming between October and early April you should bring 1 sweatshirt.

1 waterproof jacket

Check the weather: it does rain sometimes and we still teach in the rain… just not thunderstorms. So make sure you’ll stay dry and warm and bring 1 jacket if there’s a chance of rain. You can ask your teacher to check the weather, too. Please no umbrellas.

Sunscreen

You should always wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun, no matter what time of year!

Sleeping gear:

Sleeping bag/blankets/sheets

Make sure this is thick enough for the time of year you are coming. Just a comforter is not very warm because it doesn’t close like a sleeping bag does to keep your heat in. If the weather looks cold and you don’t have warm enough sleeping gear please tell your teacher as soon as possible.

Pillow

Towel

We do not have showers built into the facility. We do, however, have solar-heated shower bags you may use if you need to. You can wash your face in the sinks in the bathroom.

Brush or comb

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Soap

Flashlight with good batteries

Other Supplies You May Wish to Bring:

Camera

Please don’t use the camera during activities. There will be lots of time to take pictures to remember your stay.

Binoculars

There is lots of wildlife around to see!

Book

If you need a book to help you fall asleep this might be a good idea.

Special blanket or stuffed friend

If this is your first time away from home, bring something from home to make you feel better! Cactus Wren (a teacher at the Cooper Center) has a bear that she loves to snuggle so you are never too old to have a little comfort.

Supplies we ask you not to bring:

Electronics

We want you to enjoy the sounds and sights of the desert so try to leave all electronics at home.

Scary stories

Please do not tell any scary stories. We want to have good feelings only.

Remember, you'll be carrying your sleeping gear to the cabin so make sure its not too heavy! We can't wait to see you!

Clothes and Day Supplies:

WATER BOTTLE

Everyone MUST bring a water bottle. We live in a dry desert and even when it’s not hot we need to make sure that we are drinking lots of water while we explore outside. If you don’t have a water bottle please tell your teacher as soon as possible.

3 pairs of long pants

These could be jeans, khakis, etc. If you are coming during early Fall or late Spring try to have lighter pants. You cannot wear shorts! This is for your safety.

1 pair of long underwear

These are thin pants that you can wear under your top layer of pants.

1 pair of sturdy walking shoes

Do not bring sandals or any open shoes. Cactus spines in the foot are no fun.

4 tee-shirts

No inappropriate designs or wording (same as school rules)

No tank tops. This is to protect you from the sun.

2-3 long sleeve shirts

Sometimes even when it’s hot out during the day it can get chilly once the sun goes down and it's good to be able to layer your clothes.

4-5 pairs of socks

If you are coming between late October and March, you should bring 1 warm pair of socks so your feet don’t get cold.

4-5 pairs of underwear

1 set of sleeping clothes

If you are coming between late October and March, make sure they are warm

1 sun hat or baseball cap

This is very important to protect you from the sun and really helps keep you cooler.

1 warm hat and gloves

We do things outside all day and even into the night so make sure you bring these to stay warm.

1 thick sweatshirt or sweater

If you’re coming between October and early April you should bring 1 sweatshirt.

1 waterproof jacket

Check the weather; it does rain sometimes and we still teach in the rain… just not thunderstorms. So make sure you’ll stay dry and warm and bring 1 jacket if there’s a chance of rain. You can ask your teacher to check the weather, too. Please no umbrellas.

Sunscreen

You should always wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun, no matter what time of year!

Sleeping gear:

Sleeping bag/blankets/sheets

Make sure this is thick enough for the time of year you are coming. Just a comforter is not very warm because it doesn’t close like a sleeping bag does to keep your heat in. If the weather looks cold and you don’t have warm enough sleeping gear please tell your teacher as soon as possible.

Pillow

Towel

We do not have showers built into the facility. We do, however, have solar-heated shower bags you may use if you need to. You may wash your face in the sinks in the bathroom.

Brush or comb

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Soap

Flashlight with good batteries

Other Supplies You May Wish to Bring:

Camera

Please don’t use the camera during activites. There will be lots of time to take pictures to remember your stay.

Binoculars

There i lots of wildlife around to see!

Book

If you need a book to help you fall asleep this might be a good idea.

Special blanket or stuffed friend

If this is your first time away from home, bring something from home to make you feel better! Cactus Wren (a teacher at the Cooper Center) has a bear that she loves to snuggle so you are never too old to have a little comfort!

Note: If you are attending the middle school program, Sunship III, please arrive at the Center in nice clothes for your Commencement. You can change into more comfortable clothes after the Opening Ceremony.

Remember, you'll be carrying your sleeping gear to the cabin so make sure its not too heavy! We can't wait to see you!